Starlink India Row: Centre Rejects Elon Musk’s ‘Oligarchs’ Claim, Says Rules Are Non-Discriminatory
India on Thursday rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that Starlink is being blocked by “certain oligarchs” to protect a “monopolistic chokehold” in the country, saying its regulatory framework for satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory.
India on Thursday rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that Starlink is being blocked by “certain oligarchs” to protect a “monopolistic chokehold” in the country, saying its regulatory framework for satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory. The Ministry of Communications said all three licensed satellite communication operators are currently at broadly the same regulatory stage, with security assessments underway before they can proceed towards spectrum assignment.
Centre Rejects Elon Musk’s Starlink Allegation
The government’s response came a day after Musk posted on X that Starlink was being blocked by unnamed “oligarchs” in India. Musk alleged that the move was aimed at maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” over Indian consumers. He did not name any company or individual in his post. The Ministry of Communications, in a statement issued on Thursday, said suggestions that India’s satellite communication framework was being applied in a discriminatory manner were “baseless and misconceived”. Elon Musk Rejects Starlink Use by Indian Insurgents, Says Satellite Beams Are Off Over India.
India Says Satellite Communication Rules Are Fair
The ministry said the government has established a “fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework” covering telecommunications services, including satellite communications. Under the framework, licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) service providers using non-geosynchronous satellite systems. The government said the licensing process is subject to security requirements intended to protect users and their data.
Security Checks Underway for All Three Operators
According to the ministry, security assessments are currently underway for all three licensed entities. Once an operator completes the required security assessment, it can proceed to the next stage of seeking spectrum assignment. The Centre stressed that all three entities are currently at “broadly the same regulatory stage”, rejecting the suggestion that Starlink was being singled out.
Starlink Yet to Begin Commercial Services
Starlink has received the necessary licence to operate satellite communication services in India but has yet to begin commercial operations as it awaits further regulatory clearances and spectrum assignment. The delay has become a point of contention as Starlink seeks to enter India’s rapidly expanding broadband market. Starlink India Launch: Elon Musk Claims ‘Oligarchs’ Are Blocking Satellite Internet Entry.
On Wednesday, Starlink Vice President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer said at India Mobile Congress 2026 that the company was ready to serve Indian customers once the required approvals were completed. The latest exchange highlights the regulatory hurdles surrounding the launch of satellite broadband services in India, with the government maintaining that the same approval and security framework applies to all licensed operators.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 11:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
